Black Kids’ Clothing

If you’re searching for classic baby & toddler girls’ dresses in black or grey that are highly wearable and beautifully crafted from luxurious fabrics, look no further than Northern Italy’s Album di Famiglia. Each season, the boutique children’s clothing brand brings us styles that are elegant & understated yet still child-friendly and comfortable. Perhaps the best part of these girls’ dresses though is that they are made from a fabric that is as soft as cashmere but still machine washable, so they are practical & easy to care for. With the colder months just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about cozy options for your daughter’s winter wardrobe, and the Norry dress certainly deserves a spot. Understated & chic with a slightly playful feel, this dress is as appropriate for your average Tuesday as it is a holiday party – she’ll wear it all season long!

Last Friday, there was an article in the Wall Street Journal on the increase in minimalist fashion for kids. Designer baby & toddler clothing brands like Neige, Makie, Album di Famiglia, and Vince were all cited as examples of lines who offer more elegant and sophisticated pieces that stand in stark contrast to the graphic t-shirts, light-up sneakers, and sequin girls’ tutus that kids know and love. The pieces are still sweet and playful (think empire waist girls’ dresses or liberty prints), but more understated and chic. The author writes:

“American parents are increasingly taking a page from their European counterparts and outfitting their kids in more tasteful fare. Think pared-down cotton dresses for girls and engineer-stripe pants and logo-free T-shirts for boys.

“There’s a growing trend toward minimalism, toward something that’s a little more timeless, a little more quality,” said Adrienne Sugden, the designer and owner of Neige, a California-based company that designs children’s clothes that are classic with clean lines… [Sugden] began to entertain the idea of starting her own children’s line and noticed that the kids’ department was in need of a refresh. She saw the category as either overly decorated or far too traditional and conservative. Her wares have a sense of playfulness—”not scaled-down adult clothes,” in her words—and a refreshing sense of simplicity.”

Reading the comments & tweets in response to the article was fascinating. On one hand, kids may resist these neutral basics in favor of logo-filled t-shirts for boys or elaborate dress-up costumes for girls. And then there is the cost factor. But there is also an argument to made for purchasing high-quality pieces that are ethically produced and will be passed down for years (as opposed to their disposable, polluting counterparts). Plus, kids are so sweet as is that perhaps additional colors & details are unnecessary. Thoughts?

What do you think of black baby and toddler clothes for summer? We asked the question on Instagram (with a picture of the above girl wearing that chic, ruffled neck one-piece), and the response was a resounding yes. Baby clothes in this hue can be simple and understated yet still beautiful and stylish – just what you want for summer when your kids need something easy to throw on and comfortable enough to play in.

Here are some gorgeous images from NYC-based Goatmilk‘s spring 2014 campaign. The collection is full of lovingly crafted clothes for babies and kids (…and the occasional dog) that are understated and simple yet still sophisticated and elegant. “Inspired by European classics, we allowed form to follow function and quality to be the foundation on which we build,” the designers explain on the brand’s website. Neutral colors and black and white stripes make up most of the collection, but the occasional pointelle detailing, ribbed cotton, or tartan print keeps things modern. As an added bonus, all of Goatmilk’s pieces are made from 100% organic cotton – emphasizing the brand’s commitment to both the environment and those who manufacture the clothes. View the entire beautiful collection here.